Nelson b



(No Model.)

' N. B. SMITH.

Bracelet.

No. 240,857. Patented May 3,1881.

N.PETER5, PHDTO-LITHQGRAPHER, WASHINGTON u c.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON B. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO RICHARD OLIVER, OFBROOKLYN, N. Y.

BRACELET.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 240,857, dated May 3,1881.

Application filed January 6, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON B. SMITH, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bracelets,Ear-Rings, Scarf-Rings, and other articles of jewelry of a generalannular form, of which the followingis a full, true, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to bracelets and like articles which are providedwith a hinge or joint and adapted to be opened, or partially opened,when placed upon the arm.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my bracelet, shown partly openin dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a erosssection of a portion of the same,including the hinged joint, and Fig. 3 is avertical section through Fig.2 on the line A A represent the two symmetrical halves of the bracelet.

B represents the hinged joint, which is of the common form, and iscomposed of the intermeshin g knuckles b b and the central pin ,p.

S represents the spiral coiled spring extending longitudinally along theinterior of the arm A of the bracelet. One end of this spring isfastened to the arm A of the bracelet by means of the pin a, while theother end is fastened to the arm A by means of the staple a, which isinserted in the knuckle b of the said arm, the spring extending over thehinge.

I am aware that a flat spring has been combined with a bracelet,extending partly into both portions; but this spring is deficientinstrength and is liable to great disadvantages, by reason of the factthat it is readily broken in the movements of the bracelet.

I am also aware that a coiled spring concealed within the jointconnecting the two portions of a bracelet has been used for the purposeof closing the same; but the use of this spring necessitated anenlargement of the joint or hinged part of the bracelet, which destroysthe symmetry of the bracelet, and is otherwise unsightly and expensive.This spring is also deficient in the strength requisite to hold theportions firmly together when the bracelet has been placed on the arm,and thus dispense with the necessity for a clasp.

I am also aware that bracelets have been made ot'two loose halves and aninternalspring drawing them together; but I do not know of any instancein which a hinged article ofjew. elry has been constructed with aninternal spiral spring so arranged as to secure a firm clasp withoutenlarging the hinge portion.

By my invention these difficulties are obviated, and a neat andinexpensive spring-brace let is formed, which will close automaticallyand remain closed without the intervention of any clasp or similardevice, and in which the hinge is neither enlarged nor altered in form.

As a result of this structure I can make a smaller wire or fiat braceletor ear-rin g than is possible with any other known construction.

I claim A bracelet consisting of two portions connected by an ordinaryhinge and provided with an internal spiral spring extending over thehinge and connected at each end to one of said portions, as set forth.

NELSON B. SMITH.

Witnesses:

GEORGE T. GURTIs, J r., S. F. SULLIVAN.

